Lady Tribe wins 10th in a row vs SEHS.
City Councilman Percy Gil is absolutely right.
INSIDE TODAY
Opinion
SPORTS
17 become Master Gardeners
Local
Page 4
Page 12
Page 8
THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898
Wetumpka, AL 36092
50¢
WEDNESDAY • DECEMBER 9, 2015
THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM
Christmas on the Coosa set Saturday More than 100 have registered for event By KEVIN TAYLOR Copy Editor
More than 100 parade entries have registered to be a part of just a portion of an all-day holiday celebration in downtown Wetumpka this Saturday. Wetumpka’s annual Christmas on the Coosa activities begin as early as 7:30 a.m. with the Character Breakfast in which children can have breakfast with some of their favorite story characters from Cinderella to Spider-Man in the Wetumpka Civic Center. King Herod and his officials, of Centerpoint Fellowship, were from left to right: Alex Rouse, Scott Rouse, John Photo by Corey Arwood “The kids love the charac- Passmore and Johnathan Passmore. ters and get to interact with the characters they like to watch on TV,” said Tiffany Robinson, special events/ tourism manager for the City of Wetumpka. Because of its popularity, there will be two pancake breakfast sessions. The first will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the second is scheduled for 9 a.m. By COREY ARWOOD See CHRISTMAS • Page 2 Staff Writer
Downtown Christmas installment successful
The manger scene of First United Methodist of Wetumpka. Photo by Kevin Taylor
There was a large turnout Friday night for the second event in this year’s Christmas on the Coosa. Temperatures fell into the 40’s, but downtown Wetumpka was filled with onlookers who gathered in the streets for the scenes of nativity displays and later in the warmth of the businesses participating in the open house. Local downtown businesses kept their doors open late serving refreshments to passersby and area churches provided See DOWNTOWN • Page 3
VOL. 118, NO.21
Council votes to shut out outside opinions By KEVIN TAYLOR Copy Editor
The debate among Wetumpka City Council members and its mayor as to whom can speak before the council during public meetings was squelched Monday night. City Councilman Percy Gil presented an ordinance which would allow for people who lived outside of the city limits of Wetumpka to speak during the public comment portion of the council meetings. Once brought up to a vote, the ordinance died by a 3-2 margin. Steve Gantt and Gil voted in favor, while Kevin Robbins, Rebecca Thornton and Greg Jones cast the dissenting votes. “Our city relies on the citizens and taxpayers not just from within the city limits but outside of our city limits. I just don’t think it’s progressive See COUNCIL • Page 2
Former W.B. Doby High School designated a historical landmark
By KEVIN TAYLOR Copy Editor
The Alabama Historical Commission recently voted to include the former W.B. Doby High School to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. Before being eventually transformed into what is now Wetumpka Elementary School, the building was once the lone high school for all black children of Wetumpka. W.B. Doby was built in 1963 and later closed See LANDMARK • Page 3
Millbrook’s Christmas Parade draws rave reviews CONTACT US 334-567-7811 • Fax: 334-567-3284
USPS 681-260
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Crowds lined the mile-long route down Millbrook’s Main Street Saturday to watch the annual Spirit of Christmas Parade and its 100 or more entries of local schools, organizations, churches and businesses. The parade got off to a raucous start, led by the Millbrook Fire Department and its brigade that moved along with sirens blaring.
The procession that filed behind was made up of decorated floats, marching bands, pageant girls, classic cars and old tractors, some horses and a single calliope organ that played a carnival tune down the road. Most vehicles and floats were carrying local well-wishers and season’s greeters, and with upcoming elections, some area politicians as well. They waved, tossed candy, and even a few Mardi Gras beads to onlookers See PARADE • Page 3
Santa, Mrs. Claus, and some helpers distribute candy and good cheer along Main Street.
Photo by Corey Arwood
C &S
DEER PROCESSING –Whaley Family–
88199 Tallassee Hwy. (1 Mile from the old Johnny G’s) •Vacuum-seal
Available •Basic Cut . . . Starting at $55
( 334) 283-2876 ( 334) 558-7319